The Victory in Trusting Obedience

The Lord said to Gideon, "You have too many people for Me to hand the Midianites over to you, or else Israel might brag: 'I did it myself.'" - Judges 7:2

It is a familiar story to almost anyone who has attended church as a child. Fearful Gideon led a meager army of 300 to defeat a pagan horde numbering over 100,000 with nothing more than some pots, torches, and shouts. Samson was renowned for his strength and David for his sling, but Gideon had little more than an obedient (though at first, reluctant) spirit. Yet, that was all God needed to accomplish His purpose.

One would have thought that the Almighty might have made some attempt to shore up the courage of Gideon, but instead He revealed that trust was a greater asset in the fight. When Job lacked courage in his "battle," he still trusted the Lord and clearly, God needed Gideon to trust Him.

It must be the same with each of us. The Lord will most likely "diminish" our resources as we face the individual challenges of this life, but He does so for a reason. Ultimately, we must come to trust His strength rather than our own. Courage is valuable, but trusting obedience is where the victory is first gained.

Talk what we will of faith, but if we do not trust and rely upon God, we do not believe in Him. - Antony Farindon